MARK Kinsella today hailed the "terrific example" set by Walsall's senior players this season - even if it means he faces a struggle to get back in the team.

MARK Kinsella today hailed the "terrific example" set by Walsall's senior players this season - even if it means he faces a struggle to get back in the team.

Kinsella played the first four games this season but then lost his place to fit-again Dean Keates.

Keates and Michael Dobson have since forged an impressive alliance in central midfield, to keep player-coach Kinsella on the sidelines.

But it's a situation the former Villa man fully accepts and he admits full credit is due to Keates, Dobson and other senior pros like Chris Westwood, Clayton Ince and Martin Butler for driving Walsall to the top of League Two.

"The senior players are setting a terrific example," Kinsella said. "To see the likes of Martin Butler, at 32, racing around gives a great example.

"It's the same with Keatesy and Dobbo in midfield. They are doing a great job and working well together in there so I can't complain.

"At the start of the season, I got in because Keatesy was injured. He had to wait for his chance and accepted that. Now he's in, I'm the one waiting and I'll do the same, no complaints. That's what having a good squad is all about."